First Point as United Tie Town

Maidenhead United secured their first point of the 2025/26 campaign in a tough 0-0 draw against Enfield Town. 

 

Alan Devonshire made one change to his starting XI as Matt Robinson replaced Owen Cochrane in midfield – his first competitive appearance and his first start since Flackwell Heath at the beginning of pre-season. 

 

The game began with an early chance for Liam Dulson, with the winger striking just over from outside the box. Five minutes later, Asher Yearwood’s fancy footwork was almost rewarded as he found Josh Umerah in the box, but the striker’s effort was blocked by Rhys Forster. 

 

Enfield responded with an excellent opportunity on the quarter-hour mark. Lamar Reynolds took aim from six yards out, and a last-ditch block by Manny Onariase saw his shot fly over the bar. 

 

Onariase was involved in front of the other goalmouth just a few moments later when he connected with an Asher Yearwood free kick, although the defender’s header fell just wide of the near post. 

 

Sam Barratt was forced from the field with 25 minutes on the clock, but his performance will be noted for two excellent efforts. His first, a half-volley, tested the ex-Magpie ‘keeper and forced Forster into a great save. His second saw him strike the bar, almost lobbing the goalkeeper in the process, but it came at a cost as Barratt hobbled off injured in place of Popoola. 

 

United were all over their hosts, and there were several moments where Enfield may consider themselves lucky. A huge handball shout was dismissed by referee Will Briors, while Umerah failed to capitalise on a quick free kick to open the scoring. 

 

 

United resumed with the same intensity as the first half, with Yearwood seeing his shot blocked before his corner was headed over by Onariase. 

 

That intensity, however, reduced as the half wore on. A largely uneventful period of play was interrupted when Jordon Ragguette brought down Hayden Bullas, but the resulting free kick was comfortably collected by Jordi van Stappershoef. 

 

A flurry of substitutions from both sides brought fresh legs into the game, and a renewed burst of energy from both sides. Although United had the better chances, they were unable to break the Enfield defence. The hosts also had threatened on the counter, but a notable number of opportunities for both sides were curtailed by the referee. 

 

With five minutes added on, United’s best chance of the second half saw captain Will de Havilland head over the bar after connecting with Matt Robinson’s cross. With that, the game finished 0-0, and both teams earned their first point of the season. 

 

 

Magpies: van Stappershoef, Bartley (Clerima, 81’), Ragguette (Cochrane, 74’), de Havilland, Yearwood, Ferdinand, Robinson, Umerah (Andrews, 85’), Dulson (Mitchell-Lawson, 78’), Barratt (Popoola, 27’), Onariase 

 

Enfield: Forster, Benjamin, Thompson, Donaldson, Jones, Bullas, Parcell (Gallimore, 83’), Leonard, Youngs (Brown, 77’), Wood, Reynolds (Lodovica, 63’) 

 

Attendance: 758